Emerging to an eager audience, the scene was set by guitarist Cesar Soto who dominated the band’s explosive sound with his penetrating powerful riffs. He may have made the loudest noise, but it was band leader Jourgensen who predictably stole the limelight (pun, very much intended) from the off.

Greeting the crowd with a scream of “Hello, Belfast!” the exhilarating icon introduced ‘AmeriKKKant’ lead single ‘Victims Of A Clown’ to the audience who, from their uproarious reaction, seemed more than familiar with the newer material.

Never one to shy away from politics, the controversial front man paid homage to the state of world affairs - accompanied by a back drop of hard hitting imagery – saying; “If they’re not white, they’re bad”, before introducing the Bush administration-bashing ‘Señor Peligro’. Explaining the song’s relevance in the current climate, the singer said; “We did this one year’s ago and now… it’s even stupider”.

With fans voicing their support, the venue descended into a frustration-fuelled circle pit. Jourgensen however, wasn’t done with his politicking, and the band were joined by a giant inflatable chicken resembling a certain American president.

Trump Chicken proved too much for the stage however, causing the collapse of Jourgensen’s decorative mic-stand before taking flight, as it surfed across the enthralled Belfast crowd.

Firing through the early tracks including an incendiary ‘Wargasm’, a jonesing ‘Just One Fix’, and a rabble-raising ‘Antifa’ (accompanied by defiant flag bearers), the crowd’s reaction proved to be just a little sub-par for the acerbic industrialist. “It’s no wonder we’ve never played Belfast before”, said Jourgensen signing off; “You guys are as dead as an Egyptian sarcophagus”

Ministry’s European jaunt continues on the continent until August before the band head to the States through to the end of the year. For a full list of dates click HERE.